Urban Law: Planning, Zoning and Land Use | Brazil: Industries & Sectors

Duarte Garcia, Serra Netto e Terra stands out for its established land use practice in Brazil, supporting major developers and real estate players with zoning, planning and urban development issues. The team delivers full-service advice on licensing processes and planning tools, alongside guidance on regulatory compliance and interaction with public authorities. It also handles contentious urban matters and advises on the development and structuring of public–private urban projects.

Escudero e Ziebarth Advogados is recognised for its strength in urban law, advising developers, investors and corporates on project structuring, licensing, zoning compliance and land-use regularisation. The law firm is experienced in administrative and judicial disputes related to urban development and supports clients on complex projects subject to regulatory constraints and evolving municipal planning frameworks.

Manesco Advogados is widely regarded for its expertise in urban planning and real estate law, advising developers, construction companies, investment funds and property owners on zoning, licensing, land subdivision and project regularisation. The law firm also handles administrative and judicial disputes in urban matters and is recognised for its involvement in smart city initiatives, including PPPs and concessions, as well as housing projects.

Aroeira Salles Advogados is recognised for its expertise in complex urban law and infrastructure projects, advising concessionaires, developers and institutional clients on land use, zoning compliance and project structuring. The team is particularly noted for handling high-stakes disputes and multiparty negotiations, including public civil actions and mediation proceedings, often involving urban planning, heritage and regulatory issues.

Azevedo Sette Advogados is recognised for its work in urban law, particularly advising on planning, zoning and land use matters in Brazil. The law firm is active in licensing and approval procedures, land subdivision projects and urban regularisation, as well as assisting with the assessment of planning restrictions. The team also advises on the structuring and review of urban development operations and municipal legislation.

Graça Couto, Sequerra, Levitinas, Bicudo, Leal & Abby Advogados is noted for its integrated urban law practice, combining planning, zoning and environmental expertise. The team advises developers and investors on the structuring of urban projects, including land subdivision, mixed-use developments and redevelopment initiatives, with experience in licensing, regularisation and governance of complex urban schemes.

Machado Meyer advises on complex urban law matters involving large-scale territorial transformation, infrastructure and redevelopment, with strong expertise in planning, zoning, land use, land regularisation and expropriation. The team is active in structuring urban concessions and PPPs, developing regulatory frameworks, and handling licensing and project‑implementation matters before administrative and judicial bodies.